My pouch still works. And that’s a wonderful thing. Since I have been back to eating good food (proteins, good carbs, high fiber, veggies) instead of slider foods, my pouch is telling me, “Whoa Nelly” and puts the brakes on. That’s a good thing. A very good thing. And I’ve already taken off 3 pounds (I know, I shouldn’t weigh). Also makes me happy.

And last night I actually did some exercise – if you count PT. I did the bike. I did the total gym (although I’m really NOT sure I’m supposed to be doing this because I think it counts as squats). I did bridges (great for the ass and abs). My knee hurt like a crack ho last night, but I did it.

And I didn’t over indulge during the hurricane or subsquent two days where we were without power, had 3.5 inches of water in our basement or a tree down in our front yard. GO ME! No stress eating! YAY.

Now, I gotta keep this up!

I joined ediets. I know, I know. But I need something to hold me accountable, and cash is king.

So, now that I can put a little weight on my knee, I decided to get on the scale this morning.

Duhn duhn dhun…

Up 7 pounds.

Holy shit.

Time to get back to basics. This morning, I had a protien shake and a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. I need my oatmeal to keep things moving. So, I had oatmeal, mixed with some frozen blueberries and about a tsp of chopped walnuts for some good fat. Lunch will be tuna salad, and dinner is some fresh croaker that our friends gave us when we were on vacation this past week.

I know, I know. 7 pounds over 8 weeks should not freak me out quite so much, but it does. I can’t exercise right now. Can’t. My knee won’t hold me as it is simply not strong enough to do a decent cardio work out. Hell, I can’t even walk right now. And I know I’ve been shoveling food in my face left and right. CARBS. CARBS ARE MADE OF EVIL. So, it’s back to good proteins, lots of fruit and veggies, and upping the water intake. No carbies. NO NO NO.

I’m a week out from knee surgery. The specific surgery was a placement of the de novo graft (a juvenile donor cartilage) and arthroscopy. The surgery was both arthroscopic and open – he did the initial scope arthroscopically, so he could see the extent of the damage, and then opened it up with a larger incision, took out the knee cap, cleaned out the arthritis, and then glued the graft between the bones and to the back of the knee cap. I can’t be 100% sure, but I also think he did a lateral release on the knee cap as it was being pulled to the right side.

This is an extremely painful surgery. Now that I’m a week out, I’m still in considerable pain. The knee cap is swollen. My leg is in an immobilizer, and I am only allowed to put a bit of weight on the to to steady myself. Otherwise, no weight on it at all – and I’m on crutches. I took a peek yesterday at the incision (just a small peek) and I have a lot of little staples (ew). The knee cap is padded in a ton of gauze, and then the leg is wrapped in an ace bandage, and then the immobilizer is on top of that. I’m not to remove the immobilizer (although I have unstrapped it to take care of a slight itch I had on my shin) except to tighten it as the swelling goes down.

The big downfall of this surgery has been the fact that I’m not in charge of my diet. Which means my husband is. And although he tries (the portion sizes are good), between the left over nauseau from the surgery and the excessive amount of carbs he has been feeding me, I’ve not been eating right. Top that off with pain killers and not enough fluid (my fault), I ended up with an obstruction. Yesterday I really thought I was going to die. My lower abdomen was killing me, and no matter how much I tried to go, I couldn’t. I called my bariatric surgeon and talked to Chris (the nurse) and explained the situation. She told me to call my ortho to see what his plan was but prescribed laxitives, lots of fiber and lots of water. I called my ortho, and he switched my pain killers (which I’m only taking at night now) from percoset to tylenol with codeine. UGH.

So this morning, I am feeling better. I still haven’t “gone” but the pain in my tummy is better. I”m sticking to yogurt and fresh blueberries for breakfast and lunch will be some type of protien and some veggies. Keeping food semi-soft and light today. And lots and lots of fluids. I’ve had a protien shake. I’m having water. I’m having some decaf coffee too (in hopes it may get things going). Keep your fingers crossed.

Some of the perils of surgery for a post op bariatric patient.

So, I get the staples out in a week and see my ortho for my post op. I’m off work until at least 8/2. And my butt is soooo asleep. Sigh.

So, one of the big downfalls for me to my surgery has been the ongoing battle with constipation. When I was on the iron supplements, it was horrible. Going to the bathroom once a week sucked donkey nuts. Now that they’ve taken me off my iron supplement, I still have to be really mindful to get in my fiber.

So, I try my damnedest to get fiber in any way I can. I am not allowed to take things like Metamucil or Benefiber (my surgeon’s orders) but I am supposed to eat fiber rich foods when I can. Problem is, on the bariatric diet, you are supposed to eat proteins first, and then veggies/fruits next and grains last. I tend to fill up on protein, which doesn’t leave me a whole lot of room for the other stuff.

I’ve been trying to be good at getting a good balance of things. I’ve been trying to incorporate more raw veggies since I don’t have issues eating them. Lots of fruit. And I force myself to eat oatmeal every day. I tried the kashi cereals, but they’ve upped the amount of sugars in them, and now I dump on them. I tried fiber one and gassed myself out. So, oatmeal it is.

Alright Body. I know you are loving hanging on to this weight. I also know that as I get closer to my GW (175 per the surgeon) that you are stubborn and don’t wanna let go. I also know that it is partly Mouth and Brain’s fault because they let things slip through they shouldn’t.

So, as of yesterday, we have launched Operation Goal Weight. Time to kick it. I know we have to be careful with the exercise right now (hello stupid knees – looking at a 2nd knee surgery in the near future) but we sure as hell can control what goes into the pouch.

So, it’s back to weighing and measuring. It’s back to watching our fat grams (ahem, instead of just watching them go into the mouth). It’s time to up the water, condense the protein, and get our ass in gear to get to that finish line. I’m not looking for a sprint here, but I sure am looking for some forward movement. Time to break this stall. Time to break through. Time to move our ass and shrink.

We’re 18 months out now. Holy crap on a cracker when did that happen? 18 months. And we’re bouncing around 187 to 190 like it’s our freaking job. It’s time for a new job body. So let’s put it in motion. Let’s do what we know we’re supposed to do. Limit those carbs! Up that protein! Get rid of that extra fat servings! Stop that snacking!!!

We have vacation coming up Body. And I fully expect that you don’t fall down on the job. Yes, we’ll be unable to control about 50% of the food environment, but of the 50% we can control, let’s make sure we do it up good. No greasey potatos at Aunt Fabby’s! No sour cream and guac with that wonderful mexican food! No fried chicken! No tamales (did I just say that?). No! NO! NO!

Let’s do it. We have until November 11th. That’s right – November 11th. Let’s shake it like a polaroid picture!!!

ARGH frustrating. Because I need my protein. Me thinks my period may be about to start (which would be awesome because it means I’ll have it and be done by the time I go on vacay next mont) but seriously, picky pouch is now part of PMS? (alliteration much?)

Very frustrating.

And last night, I dreamed I ate a reece’s cup the size of my head. I kept waiting to dump but didn’t, so I kept eating. Man I miss reece’s cups. 🙂

Eff You. What the great hell are you doing to me? Why are we so freaking picky today? Seriously, you are rejecting everything I put down there. Tummy ache from freaking hell. So eff you and the horse you rode in on. I’ve ignored the copious amount of chocolate my co-workers have given me. I’m eating all approved foods – foods you have signed off on before. So knock it the hell off. I have work to do and dumping this afternoon is Not. In. My. Freaking. Plans.

And…and and and and and…it’s Valentine’s Day – so if you think for one minute that I’m not taking part in my steak dinner tonight, you can get bent. I know you are taking revenge upon me for the overload of grease yesterday, and YES, I deserved it yesterday when you went on the attack…but today not so much.

So cool it. Simmer down. I refuse to be in pain after eating plain greek yogurt and an orange. And not even a whole orange – a freaking SLICE.